As we dive head first into the new year, it’s a good time to take stock of your existing wardrobe to see what items are bordering on dated, which can be reinvented, and what pieces you can add to the mix. For 2024, experts say you can expect to see a continuation of ‘90s-inspired wardrobes a la jelly accessories and collegiate prep, as well as some unexpected moments of inspiration—like grandpa, jazz, and retro femininity.
While the “covid years” gave us permission to go full goblin mode and encouraged lounge dressing, fashion pros say the industry is now experiencing a direct pushback on ultra casual styles.
“Look for refined shapes and touches of prep and polish,” says Niki English, a stylist and apparel designer with over 15 years of industry experience. “Voluminous suiting in statement colors, along with the return of the polo shirt, signify a desire for this classic, crisp aesthetic.”
Coinciding with the polished preppy aesthetic is quiet luxury, which is all about wearing pieces that look and feel super expensive but aren’t blazingly so. Think perfect tailoring and high-quality materials versus blingy branding. Also referred to as “old money style,” you can also dive into this 2024 fashion trend with accessories like bags, jewelry, and shoes.
It’s officially time to bid adieu to coastal grandma and instead usher in a new icon: eclectic grandpa. “Think retro streetwear, chic cardigans and customized clothing,” says Sydney Stanback, the global trends and insights lead for Pinterest. She says search terms like “grandpa style” and “eclectic clothing style” are surging +60% and +130% respectively.
If grandpa core doesn’t hit, then perhaps the hyperfeminine styles of 2024 are more your speed. Ultra girly aesthetics are very in a la coquette core, Barbie, ballet, and cottage vibes. Pink and lacy details are in, as are bows, pastels, and floral prints.
In place of the ultra tight skinny jean and cropped jacket, 2024 fashion is all about experimenting with volume, length, and shape. You can expect exaggerated lengths to show up on all types of apparel, with long dresses, oversized long-line jackets, and even drop-waist dresses becoming mainstream again.
“Wide leg denim has given way to more tailored bottoms, which come in flowing fabrics such as cupro, gaberdine, even sateen for some shine,” English says. “Pair these back to a matching blazer for a head to toe ensemble.”
Nods to ‘90s fashion continues its stronghold as we venture well into 2024, with jelly accessories enjoying a notable resurgence. “In 2024, every aspect of our lives will be inspired by our favorite invertebrate,” Stanback says. “Gen Z and Millennials are driving this squishy aesthetic, and incorporating it into their style by searching for things like ‘jellyfish hat’ and ‘jellyfish haircut.” Also very in: jelly shoes.
Capsule dressing remains popular in 2024, now with updated basics in crisp neutrals like black, gray, camel, and white. English says these are accented by pops of color, the most popular being millennial pink (yes, it reigns), lavender purple, canary yellow, and pistachio green grounded by deep navy. “Refresh your existing wardrobe by adding a pop color piece to your neutral look, or make a bold statement by going head to toe in one color,” English suggests.
If the ‘90s feel too recent for you—been there, done that—perhaps going a bit further back in time will sate your fashion appetite. Stanback says that vintage jazz looks are gaining serious tracking, and it extends beyond funk playlists a la jazz-inspired outfits. Think sparkly wide leg pants with a modern day crop top and oversize blazer, bell-sleeve sweaters, blinged out corsets, silky floor-length slip dresses, and unapologetic fringe. If you’d wear it to a jazz bar, it’s in.
As consumers become more familiar with the downsides of fast fashion, there’s a rising interest in pre-loved and thrifted items, as well as brands that champion sustainable materials and practices and transparency.
“Look for recycled materials made from ocean plastics, or regenerative materials such as bamboo, seaweed, or other natural fibers,” English says. “There is also a resurgence in wool, linen, hemp, and other plant and animal fibers that had been pushed to the side during the rise of polyester.”
